Verona police say they are trying to track down 53-year-old Walter Hinton after he allegedly flashed a badge and claimed to be a Penn Hills officer during a traffic stop in the River Town Shopping Center parking lot. Investigators say the encounter started when officers spotted what they considered a suspicious vehicle in the lot, checked its registration, and then moved in to speak with the driver. A warrant is now out for Hinton on an impersonating-a-public-servant charge.
According to CBS Pittsburgh, Verona officers were on patrol early Thursday morning when they noticed the vehicle and ran its plate, which came back suspended for lack of insurance. When they located the reported owner, identified by police as Hinton, he allegedly pulled out a badge and said he was with the Penn Hills Police Department, officers told the outlet.
What the charge means in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, a person impersonates a public servant when they falsely pretend to hold public-service authority and intend to get someone to submit to that supposed authority or rely on it. The offense is laid out in 18 Pa.C.S. § 4912 and is generally treated as a misdemeanor of the second degree, which can carry jail time and fines. Prosecutors look at whether the accused allegedly tried to use the fake status to influence what someone did or did not do.
Verona investigators say they later confirmed that Hinton has never worked as a police officer, is not certified in Pennsylvania, and has a prior criminal record, according to CBS Pittsburgh. The arrest warrant lists the impersonating-a-public-servant count, and police are asking anyone who knows where Hinton might be to contact the department. Officials have not said what the badge looked like or whether any lights or other gear were used to bolster the alleged impersonation.
Where it happened and how to report tips
Police say the stop took place in the River Town Shopping Center lot along Allegheny River Boulevard, where business records place the plaza. The center, anchored by multiple storefronts, is a routine patrol spot for Verona officers. Anyone who notices suspicious activity in or around the plaza is urged to call 911.
Local context
Verona Borough posts police contact information and encourages residents to share tips through the municipal website. Earlier this month, officers were searching for a man who ran from a traffic stop and gave a fake identity, according to WTAE. Incidents like these are part of why police stress caution: if someone claims to be a sworn officer and you are not sure, call 911 instead of approaching them.
